The Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) has received more than 40 applications to establish or expand data centre operations in Malaysia this year, highlighting continued investment interest in the country’s digital infrastructure, Bernama reported.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposals are assessed not only based on their investment value but also their requirements for energy, water and connectivity, as well as their potential contribution to Malaysia’s long-term economic and digital ambitions.
“As the scale and pace of investment increase, our priorities must evolve alongside the industry.
“The next phase is about what that capacity delivers: artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, home-grown innovation, skilled talent and higher-value jobs,” he said in his keynote address at Data Centre Nexus 2026.
His address was delivered by Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin.
Johari said the government has strengthened the DCTF, which is co-chaired by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Digital, to facilitate a more coordinated approach towards the data centre industry.
He said Malaysia is also setting standards for power and water usage efficiency, as well as carbon usage efficiency.
“Through the task force, the Energy Commission and the National Water Services Commission are also developing the relevant frameworks and guidelines to support the sustainable development of the data-centre industry.
“As the industry continues to grow, we want to see new capacity supported by operators that are committed to renewable energy, greater efficiency and responsible resource management, while adopting more sustainable solutions across their operations,” he said.
Malaysia approved RM218.5 billion in investments across various economic sectors during the first half of 2026, up almost 12% from the same period last year.
The services sector accounted for RM149.6 billion or 68.5% of the total approved investments, with the information and communications sub-sector, which includes data centres, accounting for RM103.3 billion.
Data centre and cloud computing projects alone accounted for RM95.8 billion, or nearly 44% of total approved investments during the period.
Johari added that data centre-related investment approvals have reached RM385.7 billion since 2021.
